Sexually transmitted infection linked to prostate cancer

the ONA take:

A 2009 study presented evidence that nearly a quarter of men with prostate cancer were also infected with a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Infections with Trichomonas vaginalis do not produce obvious symptoms, so this infection rate is not automatically a red flag. Researchers reported that the protozoan secretes a protein, TvMIF, similar to a protein in the human body called human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (HuMIF). It has been established that HuMIF plays an important role in cancer progression. According to the researchers, the protein seen in Trichomonas infections, TvMIF, is 47% similar to the human one. The protein TvMIF promotes inflammation and can compromise the body’s immune system.

Sexually transmitted infection linked to prostate cancer

In an age of “friends with benefits” and “quick hookup” apps like Tinder, the news that prostate cancer may sometimes be transmitted sexually should command some serious attention. Evidence of this connection first arose in 2009 when a study showed that 23 per cent of men with prostate cancer were also infected with a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis that is passed through sexual activity.